Mr Kippers here. As you are aware, I am in the middle of a new campaign to raise awareness to STOP the chaining, tying of ropes and in my case, baling wire, around the neck of animals. My new campaign also launched my new line of neck adornment.

It is NOT jewelry! They are “STATEMENT” pieces because I am making a stand and “STATEMENT” against this atrocity!

My STATEMENT:
“Please join me, Mr. Kippers, by making certain that the only ropes or chains ever used on one’s neck are those of adornment!
Classic Kippers stands united against all animal abuse!”

Soon my everyday “STATEMENT” pieces will soon be available for purchase at my online store, but my “collegiate” pieces are already divided into Pop Up Shops and can be found on my Classic Kippers Facebook page. FRIEND ME!

PLEASE purchase a ‘’STATEMENT’’ piece for yourself or a gift and let’s save the animals!

Remember all net profit goes to helping abused and abandoned animals.

I can also be emailed at: mrkippers@classickippers.com

Because of the incredible response to our ladies collection, we were able to make our first donation to a poor dog who fell victim to this insidious practice just this week.

I am including pictures within this post, but WARNING that they are GRAPHIC. I am not one to hide from these things, because I know the pain of abuse. IT IS REAL! I think EVERYONE should just take a look and I think you will see why our new line is so important. Buy a “STATEMENT” piece and help us to help abused and abandoned animals.

No animals were injured in the public relation photos which were taken of Miss Sophie Peach and me, but sadly the other photos are real.

He did not choose a life of service, this noble black German Shepherd, but he stepped up and gave it his all when he was selected. “FEBE”, which stands for Federal Bomb Expert, spent a decade patrolling Barksdale Air Force Base, as well as some of their airshows. He showed his mettle when used in K-9 demonstrations for different groups. He “swept” areas to prepare for the arrival of many dignitaries- among them a US President, a US Vice President, Foreign Dignitaries and high ranking Military Officers. He even searched polling sites in Iraq during their election. But his most important job, was protecting the lives of US soldiers at Camp Victory in Iraq and in doing so, he also safely brought home Amy Hollis’ husband, father of Hunter, Jullian and Nicholas Hollis.

TSgt. Thomas David Hollis- Febe’s handler.

To many, a K-9 is “just a dog”, but to the soldier who handles him, and the many soldiers who depend on his keen nose to help keep them safe, he is a brother in arms. He IS one of them.

Tommy retired from the USAF in 2014, but not before he and Febe had been awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Iraq Freedom Medal.

Then, when Febe retired in 2015, Tommy was there -ready to adopt him. For the last two years, Febe has been an integral part of the Hollis family.

He served as the Grand Marshal of The Krewe of Barkus and Meoux in 2016.

Febe was honored by the Parkway Jr. ROTC on Veteran’s Day of that same year. Febe and Tommy brought much happiness to the residents of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities they visited, but it appeared that his greatest joy was being with the Hollis family.

Despite his tough job, at heart, Febe was a sweetheart. Sadly, his retirement was not to be a long one, for Febe was diagnosed with advanced, inoperable bladder and pancreatic cancer this past week.
It was a devastating blow to those who loved him.
And today, Febe and Tommy’s brothers in arms came to the Barksdale AFB Kennels, the place Febe called home when he was on active duty.
They came to say “goodbye”. They came to thank him.

You see, Last Call came today for this old warrior. All radio traffic on the Security Forces channel was silenced for Military Working Dog Febe, Tag # LIMA 066. He was thanked for his devotion to duty, his service to our country and the United States Air Force and was cleared and secured for the last and final time on 19th September 2017, 0913 hours.

And so, the solemn procession began. The motorcade, escorting Febe’s casket, was lead by members of the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department on motorcycles and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Posse. A Louisiana State Trooper K-9 unit, joined the cortège. With lights flashing, the motorcade wound its way through Bossier Parish for the 30 minute ride to the cemetery. Once off the Clyde Fant Parkway, we passed car after car on the shoulder of the road showing their respect. And as we traveled Hwy 154, just before the cemetery, two ladies, stood by the roadside waving big American flags in FEBE’s honor. Tommy went back to thank them after the service.

Members of Parkway’s Junior ROTC and the USAF K-9 handlers had borne his casket to this point, now it was going to be carried the final leg by two handlers, one of which was Tommy and the other, Military Working Dog Trainer, SSgt. Lammers, along with two of Tommy’s sons, Jullian and Nick Hollis, family friend David Dinger and Mr. Kippers’ “Dad”, USAF Veteran, Gordon Clingan.

Winston Hall beautifully performed, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”

Retired MWD “FEBE” will be cremated and his ashes returned to the Hollis family.

To this noble German Shepherd, a United States Air Force war hero, we bid you Godspeed. And with apologies to Shakespeare…

“Good night noble Febe, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, high on that mountain.”

POST SCRIPT:

The honors have continued.

This morning, The Shreveport Times cover story was all about Febe and Tommy and as it was being read by the citizens of the Shreveport-Bossier area, Tommy Hollis and his son, Nick were in the Global Strike Command office of Brigadier General Skomers at Barksdale Air Force Base.

General Skomers presented a commemorative “coin” to Tommy, on behalf of Febe’s service to the USAF and the United States of America. He also presented one to Nick for taking such good care of Febe during his retirement.

My Classic Kippers Team is hard at work on my Fall Collection!
Today my Mom really put in some long hours. Of course I periodically checked to make certain that my high standard of quality is maintained, but today she was by herself, so Miss Sophie Peach and I just made ourselves comfy and kept her company all day. She must have either been intimidated by the boss being around or she was just on a roll because she produce a number of pieces!

Also, the 250 piece mark in product production has been achieved! Miss Sophie Peach and I felt this milestone needed to be recognized! Yep, all those old boxes are now storing my brand new Classic Kippers’ fall collection! It will debut in Shreveport on Oct. 10th and at my online store on Oct 12th!

Please consider purchasing something from my new collection for someone you care about this Christmas! Remember, it’s two gifts in one! You get a fantastic item, MADE IN AMERICA, but the best part is that the net profit from the purchase of your gift, goes to help abused and abandoned animals. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Help others?
My bowties can be purchased at John Pickens Clothier in Shreveport and at Olivine in Houston, TX (Rice Village)!
But, if you are REALLY an animal lover, my autobiography makes a beautiful gift too! The plaid cover even looks like Christmas!

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I must tell you that heaven has gained a new angel and I have lost a part of my heart.
I have been remiss in posting this sad news.
Those of you who have followed me these past four years are aware that I am here by the Grace of God, the doctors who worked tirelessly to save me, my parents who refused to give up, the friends who supported them and Miss Amazing Gracie- MY ROCK.
You see, when I faced the most serious fight of my life, a surgery that I had less than a 50% chance of surviving, not to mention the grim complications that plagued me, Amazing Gracie went into action. She and her mom, Jan brought Holy Water and a beautiful crate cross which Mom made sure was with me at all times.

Gracie continued to send me notes of encouragement and prayed for me every night. She wore one of my bow ties to honor me, but in truth, it is I who was honored by her friendship.
You know, Dr Treadwell my Internist, used to sing Amazing Grace to me at the hospital before my bedtime. Back then, I thought she was singing about my friend Gracie and I guess, in a way, she was.

Gracie slipped from these earthly bonds having lived a very long and wonderful life with her beloved people, Miss Jan and Mr. Jay.
To them I send my most sincere condolences.
Godspeed precious Gracie, you will always be Amazing and MY ROCK.

AHOY MATEYS!
Avast Ye!
Captain Kipp here with the bonnie lass Peaches O’Malley.
Crack open the barrel so I can wet me pipes and serve ye up the rest of the grog for we have much to celebrate! The Krewe of Barkus and Meoux will sail the high seas this fair Mardi Gras season as “Pawrets of the Cattabean”!! And there’s more!
The Jolly Roger is flying high; the booty was plentiful on the HMS Revenge!
There will be no hornswaggling on this ship or the bilge rat will be keelhauled!
Give me my spy scope. Sail ho! (Ship of unknown intentions approaches)
Lad! Tell that ship to strike her colours! What’s that you say?
Walk the plank? Sir Kirby?
Hard to starboard!
Lads, we shall rescue me
swashbuckling mate.
Aye, Aye Captain Kipp!
There will be no quarter given!
Send them to Davy Jones’ locker!
Now mates!!!
FIRE IN THE HOLE!!

Most of you know that my dad, Mr. Kippers, has a propensity for quoting Shakespeare. And yes, he has me studying “The Bard” too, as part of my Renaissance Bully education!
You also know that he worked very hard in his lab to make sure that I would have all of his best attributes.
If you’ll remember, there was that little explosion in the lab and it was purported that he added too much Eastern Box Turtle Olfaction. Personally, I don’t think one can ever have too much EBTO (Eastern Box Turtle Olfaction) not to be confused with EBT (English Bull Terrier). HARK! Could that be a coincidence or a harbinger of things to come?
Definitely the latter because…..
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!
This morning, while the dew was on the vinca, I, with extreme grace and finesse, captured (and released) my turtle #3! Dad is right,
A TURTLE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD STILL SMELL SWEET. (another apology to Shakespeare)

MASTER KIRBY HERE:
I have begun my studies to become a Renaissance Bully like my adopted dad, Mr Kippers. That means time must be spent in the Walker House library.

Cicero said it best, “”If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

Well bless my Mama! That is as true as the fact that the moon glows at night! Maybe there IS something to all of this library reading. I’ll have to hand it to Cicero, he “gets it”- especially about the garden. And that is what brings me to the subject of this blog post.

Mom was working on the sofa with Miss Sophie Peach and Mr Kippers by her side when I got the urge to go potty. There is a three minute window from the time I bark to get me outside or the next thing they hear is “clean up on aisle 3”. Sometimes I bark just to see how fast I can get my people to move!

Today I sounded the alarm loudly and Dad came running! We immediately went outside where, after I took care of my personal business, I alerted and started to track. Dad called Mom to hurry and come out with camera ready because he said I had either found a turtle scent or feral cat poop. The first one is acceptable, the second is what a foxhunter would call riot*… of sorts.
*Riot – When hounds hunt anything besides intended quarry, it is called riot.
No riot today! When Mom got outside Dad let my lead out and I hit that line like a strike bully!

Yep, I nabbed my second turtle 🐢 🐢!
Mom not only got me on video in “capture mode”, but she took my turtle inside and indelibly marked him with the appropriate information.

She then brought him back out so that he and I could visit. Mr Kippers has caught over 50, Miss Sophie Peach about a dozen and though I have only two to my credit, Mom said this was the most beautiful turtle of all the turtles that have been captured at Walker House! And he’s my favorite color! I have “Baton Orange ” and now “Tortue Orange”!

T. S. Eliot said, “Home is where one starts from.” I’m not certain about Mr Eliot, well that being a big quote of his and all. Of course one starts from home. I mean my crate is in my home and I do have to start from there in order to get to the garden to hunt for turtles! SHEESH!

I HAVE TWO YEARS TO GO UNTIL MATURITY.
I AM A HOLY TERROR!
I AM A BRAT!

That being said, I was still given a very cool party. It was just for immediate family though.

Something about no others guests until I’m three. At that point I’m supposed to be “socially acceptable”. As if some magical button is going to be pushed and I’m going to turn into Mr Perfect. You really believe that… right? (snort, snort , chortle, chortle)
I was slightly late for my luau, but Papa Kippers and Her Royal Highness, Miss Sophie had some hors d’oeuvres and frozen pineapple drinks while they waited. Sophie cannot hold her pineapple juice and drank so fast that she kept having “brain freezes”!

When I did arrive, Sophie Peach’s pearls were askew and she was bobbing and weaving, giggling and singing.

Papa Kippers looked slightly mortified, but we feasted on banana slices with fat-free whipped cream and pumpkin biscuits, as well as those little pineapple drinks.

Let me interject that all those trips to Sonic made me a pro at drinking from a straw!